Atlanta Black Pride Weekend: Schedule and Highlights

Since the 1980s, Black queer Atlantans have gathered during Labor Day Weekend to celebrate their own Pride. What started as pop-up picnics hosted at alternative spaces to the white-dominated Pride celebrations has since grown into a blowout weekend attracting Black LGBTQ+ people from around the world.

Last year, Atlanta served as the host city for Global Black Pride, and this year, while the global celebration travels to Paris, Atlanta Black Pride will build on the momentum of last year’s success with new events and returning favorites from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1. 

“As we stand looking at the scope of what legislation is doing to us, Atlanta Black Pride has always been an opportunity to reflect on queer existence from the Black and African-American perspective, because it’s really different,” George Daigle, the radio personality and performer bringing his show “Disco Heat: A Sylvester Musical Tribute” back to Atlanta for Black Pride, told Georgia Voice. “Atlanta Black Pride gives us the opportunity to exist and enjoy Pride with our own perspectives in mind.” 

Daigle steps into the shoes of Black queer disco icon Sylvester on Saturday, Aug. 30 at The Atrium to raise money for HIV/AIDS prevention. The one-night-only event will feature live performances of hits like “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and “Do You Wanna Funk,” and Daigle brings Sylvester’s voice and spirit alive to recount the history of his life and music. Tickets to “Disco Heat” are available via Eventbrite.

“Before there was a Billy [Porter], before there was a Little Nas X, there was Sylvester, all alone on the stage, touring the country and wowing people,” he said. 

But before the disco fun, there’s an offical kickoff event for the weekend with the annual Mayor’s Reception at City Hall on Thursday, Aug. 28 before the party starts at Truth Midtown at 11 p.m.

The celebration continues on Friday and Saturday with the vendor marketplace at the Starling Hilton Midtown Atlanta from noon to 8 p.m. and the the Black Excellence Influencers Dinner on Friday, Aug. 29. Influential members of the community will receive awards for their contributions to the community; the 2025 honorees include attorney Jasmin Robinson; director, filmmaker, and writer Des Grey; actor, designer, and stylist Carter The Body; former WNBA player Ty Young; social media influencer Big Sexy; journalist and co-founder of Gaye Magazine K. Keith McRae; fashion designer Reco Chapple; state senator Rashaun Kemp; and acting Executive Director of NAESM R. Wayne Woodson.